The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-18
SENATOR STANFORD.
Central Pacific Stockho lders Are Satisfied and
He Thinks the Commission Ought To Be.

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 17.-There filed in
the United States Circuit Court here, yesterday,
the answer of Senator Leland Stanford to the
petition of the Pacific railway commission to
compel Stanford to answer questions to the
use OF money for the purpose OF influencing leg
islation in connection with the Central Pacific
railway. After citing at length the history Of
the Central Pacific railway. Mr.. Stanford says
he has taken part in transacting the business of
the compnay for twenty five years. and in
point of value aggregating upward of
four hundred million dollars. AS the bust
ness took place. he was cognizant Of it.
but, owing to its multiplicity and
press of matters more important than piere de-
tail. he is now no longer able to recall many of
the matters with which he was once personally
familiar After receiving the circular from the
commission. In May of this year. calling for csr-
tain information he endeayored to comply with
the request. Answers containing all the availa-
BILE information prepared and submitted to
the commission. Since the arrival OF the COM
mission in San Francisco he has waited upon
them. the PRINCIPAL officers and the employees of
the Central Pacific company have waited upon
them, and every person in the employ of the
company, whose presence was desired, who
could furnish them information in respect to the
subjects of their investigation, have promptly
and cheerfully done The provisions of law
creating the Central Pacific company have been
congress
creating the company would not do what is i'm
piled in the bare asking of the question. To
quote from the answer filed: SIN my testi-
mony given to the commissioners have said, in
substance, and now repeat, that have never
corrupted nor attempted to corrupt any member
of Legislature, nor any member of Congress.
any public official, nor have l authorized any
one to dc So" In regard to the
vouchers referred to in the present
application, Mr.. Stanford says: 'All the claims
covered by these vouchers have received not
0p1v ha of he ard of tors of
the Central Pacific Railroad Company, but like
wise the approval of the stockholders of that
company. All parties who could. in any wise,
be affected by the disbursements embraced in
these vouchers were satisfied Herewith. There
fore, the com mission ought to be satisfied with
them 1t is impossible not, from time TO time.
to have to do business involving disbursements
which every dictate of business prudence will
not admit of being made public; arrangements
of private character, names of parties
not publicly known, and disclosure of which
could only result in defeating ends
in view. and exposing the persons SO named to
sus picion. Our obligations would forbid making
the same public. either upon the archives OF the
company, or before public commission. Mr.
Stan ford regrets thai the ommsson has deemed
it It's duty to PROFOUND the questions involving
on his part, but being asked ques-
tons he has felt constrained TO not answer them.
Acting not merely on his own behalf. but on be-
half of those whose interests stockholders of i
the Central Pacific railroad are committed to his
charge he feels bound L. decline to answer them
unless the court shall otherwise rule.
By order of the Pacific Railway Commission,
Governor Pattison, chairman. to-day sent the
dispatch to President Cleveland:
Two suits pending in the United States
Circuit Court Of this district involving the
right of this commission TO examine witness
the payment of money to influence
legislation AS under your immediate
direction, respectfully request your Judg-
ment to whether not we should employ
to assist the district attorney Our
Judgment is that we should. Please answer"